Review: Crazy Little Thing Called Love

**Picture**: the premiere performance of *Crazy Little Thing Called Love at* North Lakes Community Centre (image credit: *Creative Futures Photography*).

A 2024, 70s-style television show, which brings four ‘singles’ together with the aim of ‘finding their love match,’ is a great production idea—particularly when drawing on the hits of legendary artists including Queen, Gloria Gaynor, Etta James, Whitney Houston, Meatloaf, Michael Jackson, and Adele. The Prima team not only had a great idea, but writer/creators Wendy Bird and Aleisha Rose have turned an inspired concept into an enjoyable two-hour Crazy Little Thing Called Love musical comedy.

Wendy Bird and Aleisha Rose appear to have a success on their hands, so I hope that they look for other venues or opportunities to bring Crazy Little Thing Called Love to a wider audience. They may just need a rest first, however, as they not only co-wrote the show, but Wendy Bird was also credited as Musical Arranger and Musical Director, and Aleisha Rose Directed and starred in the show.

Behind every great production is a strong team of fellow creatives. Rhianon Brown’s choreography was on-point, and the cast were well-drilled and enthusiastic performers (Brown also danced the night away as one of the three dancers, amusingly called Happily [Brown], Ever [Travis Turner] and After [Corey Rea-Bradford]). Curtis Lisch’s set design was perfect for the show—comfortably accommodating the live band, Songbird ‘backing singers’ (Toni Lawrence Raru and Georgie Lock), and TV recording studio. Sarah Parkin’s costume design featured excellent choices for each of the main characters and supporting cast. And the technical team was well-resourced and organised (Chris Walker [Technical Director], Curtis Lisch [Audio Designer & Engineer], Chris Walker [Lighting Designer & Operator], and Josh Parkin [Follow Spot]).

The stars of the show were well-cast and played their roles with enthusiasm—and were fortunate to be supported by a ‘solid’ band. Musical comedy is a difficult art to perfect, but everyone played their roles with confidence—ensuring that the ‘laughs’ were had, the tunes were enjoyed, and the story was gradually revealed. Throughout, Aleisha Rose gave a compelling performance: strong singing, great dance moves, excellent comic timing, and an amusing Valentine tragic-comic side story that pulled the show together.

My favourite musical numbers were those showcasing the harmonies and voices of the whole cast (for example, when joining in with Can’t Hurry Love). Of the solo numbers, Rebel Bliss (Hunter)’s performance of Tough Lover was excellent—a strong vocal performance and stage presence. My favourite song performed by James Bird (Dexter) was the Meatloaf classic, I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That). Billy Gray played the role of Jagger with the right amount of swagger and overconfidence—and some incredible dance moves. Jemmy Skelly (Romeo) played the role of the ‘love meter’ operator with style—including some great I Go to Rio singing and dancing. Marley Thomas (Amelia) performed a memorable version of Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)—reinterpreting the song with just the right of innuendo and audience participation pizazz to maximise the laughs—and an excellent version of Houston’s I Will Always Love You.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love has some great story arcs, with each ‘I’ being dotted and ‘t’ crossed by the end of the performance. But, in the hope that this show does make a welcome return—whether in future Anywhere Festival or Anywhere Fringe programs, or if taken up by one of the major theatrical organisations—I will resist the temptation to run through the whole plot. Let’s just say that there is a happy ending for each of the contestants, and I left the room smiling.

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture***: The Crazy Little Thing Called Love* curtain call (*Image credit: Creative Futures Photography)*.

Audience information: The May 2024 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival program included only four performances of Crazy Little Thing Called Love (two shows on both 18th and 19th May 2024) at North Lakes Community Centre, 10 The Corso, North Lakes. Tickets $40. 120 minutes, plus a 20-minute interval. Recommended 8+ (some sexual innuendo).

The reviewer attended the 18 May 2024 afternoon performance.

Geoff Lawrence